Sunday School concerns

[Nantzie]

I was wondering if my kids will be told things in Sunday school like how people who aren't saved go to hell. Neither my parents or my husband's parents are Christians. I would just hate for them to be told something like this about their grandparents.

I know no-one can say for sure that this will or will not happen, it all depends on the church and the people teaching the kids, but I just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with this kind of incident and how you dealt with it.

I seem to remember hearing about something like this happening, but it may be one of those urban legends that go around about Christians that aren't true.

Although I'm concerned about it, I'm also not going to stop going to church because of it. I just don't quite know what to think / expect.

Thanks for your advice.

[LynnMcG]

My husband and I are first-generation Christians so this is sort of new for us too. We have a 5 year-old daughter and 2 year-old son. Our daughter is incredibly inquisitive and becomes more so as she learns more about her own Walk. These days she's obsesed with good people/bad people and whether or not someone knows God and is going to heaven. She asks everyone if they know God - which is great. But she still has a lot of confusion over what is bad and who goes to hell. What I've been doing lately is saying that none of us can ever know if another person knows Jesus, but that we should pray for all of her loved ones.

I would expect my daughter's Sunday School teacher to say that people who did not know Jesus would go to hell. It would be untrue to say anything less and not fair to my kids. We go to a pretty straight forward, bible based church. There's a lot of honesty presented with even more love.

And besides! This is a great chance for your children to minister to their grandparents! What did Jesus say about words from the mouths of children... Knowledge is such power in their minds and when their intent is pure - it's so powerful! You may just see your parents and inlaws saved as a result of seeds your children have sowed!

[gusto5]

Well, i would say that would depend on your Churhc's denomination. Different demoninations like to put emphasis in certain places while some others.

I would hate that too, having kids being told that kinda stuff if my relatives weren't Christian. Im sure the Sunday school teachers know when to and when not to tell kids this sorta thing. All kids will reach a certain age where they do need to know the truth (like me!! hehe and i have it)

Pray for the sunday school teachers that they have wisdom from God what to say and what not to say! :)

and continue to bring your family members to Jesus, if you believe that is the choice of action :thumbsup:

[bliz]

In order for you to feel comfortable, why don't you spend some time visiting Sunday School classes by volunteering as a helper? Some churches do an excellent job selecting and training teacher, and others take whomever they can get... Some Sunday Schools use carefully selected materials, and others leave it all up to the teachers. Plus, the personality and approach of any individual teacher wil vary greatly.

There are ways of saying to children that only Christians are going to heaven that don't alter the truth of that fact, but don't go as far as "Grandma and Grandpa are gonig to burn in hell and scream for all eternity!" As you get to know those teachers personally you will be in a position to make your own decisions about Sunday School.

Once while visiting a church my daughter and I stumbled upon a Sunday School class for 2 year olds that literally tied them to chairs to at a special table to see the Bible stories acted out by finger puppets. They had a curriculum that advocated this action and, as they repeatedly pointed out to me, the fabric they used to tie the children to the chairs was very soft and gentle. My daughter never found out! It's a fine church (that has since abandoned that Sunday school curriculium) but that SS program was not compatible with my beliefs about parenting.

[plmarquette]

I was wondering if my kids will be told things in Sunday school like how people who aren't saved go to hell. Neither my parents or my husband's parents are Christians. I would just hate for them to be told something like this about their grandparents.

I know no-one can say for sure that this will or will not happen, it all depends on the church and the people teaching the kids, but I just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with this kind of incident and how you dealt with it.

I seem to remember hearing about something like this happening, but it may be one of those urban legends that go around about Christians that aren't true.

Although I'm concerned about it, I'm also not going to stop going to church because of it. I just don't quite know what to think / expect.

Thanks for your advice.
Paul lists people who will miss the boat , unless they change their ways ;
There is grace for ignorance [ not knowing any better ] ; but with TV , Radio , Satellite , Internet .... the word is there , and hard to ignore .

If you sit down with them each night " what did you learn " ; read the bible stories , ask questions of your pastor " why did this happen , who is this guy , when is this appropriate , how can this be done , etc. " then you are ready when they ask questions ...

[Nantzie]

Thanks everybody for your responses. I've come to a few conclusions while reading all of your responses and thinking on this. There is really a parallel for me with finding out smoking can kill someone when I was a kid of about 7. At the time I learned this in school, my mother had just quit smoking and my dad still did (and didn't quit until about two years ago actually). It was really hard to deal with, but I did deal with it.

Also, whenever your kids aren't around you (with relatives, teachers, friends) they may hear things that are upsetting (some true and some not). And you really do have to make it a point to find out what they learned that day, what they're worried about, what needs more explanation, or advice on dealing with things that are difficult to know.

And more than any of that, God knows what He's doing. I just have to release my control issues and surrender to His plan for me, as well as my entire family.

It's funny how the enemy throws so many weird little neurotic thoughts and worries into your path when you start heading down the right one.

Thanks for all of your help and advice.

Nancy